Mother’s charge reduced to battery

Leavenworth County prosecutors said a felony charge has been dropped against a Basehor woman accused of battering her daughter.

Lori Siber-Mellow now faces a sole charge of battery, a misdemeanor. She had been charged with both battery and aggravated battery stemming from an incident in August, in which Siber-Mellow allegedly grabbed her 17-year-old daughter by the throat while driving.

Basehor police said Siber-Mellow denied the accusations. Police said they were skeptical of the denial because the 17-year-old girl had ligature marks on both sides of her neck.

Siber-Mellow is scheduled to appear next in court at 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 25. Prosecutors said she has retained an attorney, Shane Lilich of Kansas City, Kan.

In another case originating in Basehor, prosecutors said charges have yet to be filed against Terry Randal Garrison, a Basehor resident and registered sex offender, who police arrested in September on charges of aggravated assault and having improper vehicle registration.

Prosecutors said the case is still under review.

In mid-September, police were called to a domestic disturbance at Garrison's residence in the 2900 block of N. 154th Street. There, police said a dispute emerged between five individuals at the home regarding the possession of an automobile.

Garrison allegedly brandished a machete and made threatening comments to the individuals. According to the KBI Web site, Garrison was convicted of rape and has been a registered sex offender since 1999.